Letters to the editor

Thursday

Sep 27, 2007 at 2:00 AM

To the Editor,

In the Sept. 13 edition of the Star, Selectwoman Bryant urged Kennebunkport voters to make their feelings known to the Planning Board, and, by implication, to vote in favor of the conversion of the Tides Inn (under a contract zoning) to a condominium development on the front at Goose Rocks Beach. She asserted that approval of the proposal under the contract zoning ordinance ensures public beach access which could otherwise be lost forever. She claims that if the Tides Inn decided to sell the property, public access and beneficial use of the Tides Inn beachfront could easily be prohibited by a new owner. She further affirms that it is the town's unique opportunity to preserve "our precious beach" and existing access to the beach.

In fact, however, the public already has permanent access to the beach for about 2.5 football fields in length and running to the sea. In approximately the middle of the beach, and held in trust for public use by the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, there are eight lots with direct public access. That access and use will remain the same even if the Tides Conversion does not take place, and even if the town does not acquire in payment for the zoning contract the two lots the Tides now owns. In addition, there is also the town-owned lot which has a ramp for handicap access. Arguably, there are no less than three non-controversial public access paths to the beach in the middle beach. Moreover, those public rights of way allow permanent public access and use of the eight lots held on the beach by the Conservation Trust, and to the town lot which is bounded between two of the eight Trust Lots.

In short, it is simply not true that public access and beneficial use of the beach at Goose Rocks is in any way jeopardized by what transpires in the proposed Conversion of the Tides Inn.

We had the best weather in years for tournament day, and we're very grateful to all the players and volunteers who made the event so fun and successful. Additional special thanks go to Federal Jack's Restaurant & Brew Pub for sponsoring our social hour and to The Kitchen Chicks for catering our post-tournament dinner. We are truly honored to have such a show of camaraderie and community support to benefit our museum at the heart of the Kennebunks.

Tracy Baetz, Executive DirectorBrick Store Museum

To the Editor,

This past Friday night marked a huge milestone for me, because I can now finally thank the citizens of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport for their support of not only the track team, but for all the teams that use Memorial Field at Kennebunk High School.

Four years ago as our track surface was rapidly deteriorating, I asked the voters of the two towns to support a referendum vote to resurface the track facility. That spring after the referendum vote had passed, I was notified by Marty Ryan, Kennebunk High School Athletic Administrator, that additional bleachers on both the home side and visitors side would be installed. With that in mind, I wanted to wait to thank those that had supported the track referendum and wait until the entire stadium had its face lift.

While it took time (four years to be precise) it was worth the wait. As I stepped onto the track Friday and looked up at the bleachers, I knew the time had come to say thank you to a lot of people.

First and foremost, a thank you to the citizens of Kennebunk and Kennebunkport. I appreciate the support that you have given this project. I also want to thank Marty Ryan, my athletic administrator, along with Joe Rafferty, KHS football coach, for all the work they have given over the past few years. My sincere thanks also to the Kennebunk-Kennebunkport Athletic Boosters group who not only have given money to this project but also spent countless hours organizing and making this project happen. I am sure that I speak for not only my team, but for all teams that use the stadium. We appreciate what you have all done for us.

In closing, if you have not seen the finished project, please come down and take a look. Better yet, come and watch one of our teams that use the field. I know that the KHS athletes appreciate all you have done as much as I do. Again, thank you for all you have done.

Ron Hankel, Track CoachKennebunk High School

To the Editor,

Just about every time I use the bicycle paths I have encountered broken glass.

I have experienced several flat tires and this summer I had a near accident when I had to pull out into traffic in the attempt to avoid broken pieces of glass and other debris.

Earlier this season, I contacted the Wells town manager and reported the condition of the bicycle paths.

Recently a friend contacted Carl Hallman of the Bureau of Highway Safety. Mr. Hallman suggested that she contact the Wells Police Department. She also contacted Rep. Kathleen Chase and has not received a response. She phoned the Wells Police Department and spoke with an officer. He told her that it is the responsibility of the Wells Highway Department.

Apparently when they clean up Route 1 they sweep glass and debris over to the side of the road into the bicycle path. In my opinion, this is unconscionable. Why are they not picking up this glass and debris!

I wonder if any of your other readers who have used the bicycle paths have experienced the same and observed the deplorable conditions of Wells bicycle paths?

Mary TilsonWells

To the Editor,

I am writing in response to a particular letter in last week's edition of letters to the editor. Reading it left me irritated and fed-up with the people in this community that continuously bash our town government, seldom offering solutions, only condemnations. The letter was more of the same, whining about what our Town of Kennebunk Selectmen are not doing, or should I say, not doing in a way that a certain few want things done. The underlying message is always the same — complain, complain, complain but offering nothing in the way of working towards a common goal.

The letter written last week by Sue Walker went on about how the new, and quite possible temporary, meeting time of 6 p.m. made it difficult for some citizens to attend or view via television when their schedules were so full. She stated that these people had full-time jobs, with children, dinner-time preparations, school activities, etc. What I'm not sure she considered is that of our five person board of selectmen, four of them are still active and full-time in the workforce. They too have spouses and children and commitments, in addition to their duties of Selectmen. In fact, the time they put forth often requires them to miss their own dinner-times with their families, along with sports and academic programs for their children. They juggle their families, and jobs, and lives in addition to their vow of civic duties.

Come on folks, let's finally stop with the us versus them mentality! It's easy to point your finger and suggest that illegal votes are held in private or that the selectmen are anything less than above board. Our elected officials are working-class people too. They have to pay the same taxes and live by the same rules and laws they elected to enforce. Our selectmen are the few who have stepped up to the plate and are proactive in trying to resolve our town's challenges and although you may not always agree with the outcome, they do what they do with the very best intentions for the Town of Kennebunk. They care and they're trying to do something about it.

In closing, to all those citizens of Kennebunk who agree with these thoughts I've put forward, please let others know. E-mail or call people such as Sue Walker and let her know that we're all in this together. Let's try to work together towards a common goal.

Kathleen ChapinKennebunk

To the Editor,

Good afternoon, everyone. First off, I want to thank you for making it possible for me to attend Camp Hinds for CIT training.

I'm Luke Smith. I live in Poland and am a member of Troop 109 of Lisbon Falls. CIT is "Counselor in Training," which has been one of the best experiences of my life. I am sure that other kids would appreciate Rotary Club sponsorship and have this great experience as well.

What we did as CITs was to observe existing camp counselors, take notes, and see how the staff taught their classes. We also had the chance to actually teach some of the classes. I personally would do a lot to help other kids come to Camp Hinds as CITs — or as regular campers, for that matter!

Completing the CIT program also helps you get on camp staff for next year, no matter what position you apply for. I believe that 99.9 percent of the kids who come to Camp Hinds would want to apply for CIT training in order to get on the staff at Camp Hinds!

What I discovered in my training, is that teaching a class is definitely harder than it looks, particularly when the kids can get rowdy at times.

If more boys got to take advantage of an opportunity like CIT, it would be a definite life-changing experience for them.

I thank you all again for my opportunity to come to Camp Hinds as a CIT, and I hope that you will be able to sponsor other kids to do the same.

Luke SmithPoland

To the Editor,

The members of York County Audubon Society would like to thank the many individuals and businesses that supported this year's Birding Challenge 2007. Their commitment to our natural resources is greatly appreciated and will allow us to reinvest in local conservation efforts and environmental education of our citizens.

We extend special thanks to Kennebunk Savings Bank, which again gave a $1,500 challenge grant to match other contributions. Its generosity encouraged us to involve more participants and multiplied the money we raised.

The money raised by the 2007 Birding Challenge has been contributed to the Puffin Project to promote seabird restoration, Kennebunk Land Trust, Kennebunk Conservation Trust, Francis Small Heritage Trust, feeder watch programs at Biddeford Middle School, and Sanford Public Library for nature programming, among other projects.

We thank everyone who worked to organize, birded during the day, or contributed to the Birding Challenge. We needed everyone to make this event such a success.

Editor's note: Miles Freeman contacted Congressman Tom Allen in regard to "oversight of the Executive Branch." Tom Allen's response is below. His office approved the publishing of his letter.

To the Editor:

To Mr. Freeman:

Thank you for contacting me about the oversight of the Executive Branch. I appreciate hearing from you on this important topic.

Like you, I have been troubled by the persistent and determined efforts of the Bush Administration to increase the scope of executive power beyond its constitutional parameters. This Administration has instituted illegal wiretapping of American citizens by the National Security Agency (NSA), sanctioned the use of torture overseas, and detained individuals in violation of the Geneva Conventions and possibly U.S. law. These policies have flowed from a Bush Administration doctrine that holds that the President, as the Commander in Chief, has national security powers that trump existing legal boundaries. President Bush has also increased the use of "signing statements," documents which express the way he intends to carry out legislation, often in contravention to the will of Congress.

In the 109th Congress, I repeatedly joined many of my colleagues in calling for Congressional investigations into Executive Branch actions, including the domestic surveillance activities of the NSA and the misinformation leading to, and the mismanagement of, the war in Iraq. The Republican majority refused to thoroughly investigate these matters and allowed the Administration to continue their activities unchecked, thus failing to exercise Congress' constitutionally mandated responsibility as a co-equal branch of government to oversee the activities of the Executive.

In contrast, the 110th Congress is demanding accountability for taxpayer dollars and Executive Branch policies. In January, Committee Chairs in the House and Senate immediately began aggressive oversight of Administration activities that went unchecked in prior Congresses. These investigations include inquiries into the ongoing costs of the Iraq war and reconstruction spending, the issuance of signing statements by the President, the disclosure of a covert CIA agent's identity in order to discredit a critic of the Administration, warrantless domestic surveillance activities by the NSA, and the firing of U.S. Attorneys for possibly political reasons.

The purpose of Congressional oversight is not to lambaste the Administration for past wrongs, but to hold the Executive Branch accountable, learn from past mistakes, and create new policies that reflect those lessons. This Congress has restored oversight as a major priority for the Legislative Branch and it has proved effective. For example, shortly after Congress convened, the Administration agreed to subject the NSA's domestic surveillance program to approval by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court. More recently, Attorney General Alberto Gonzales resigned after serious questions were raised about the accuracy of his testimony before Congress on both the questionable dismissals of U.S. Attorneys and the NSA's surveillance programs.

Thorough oversight is an effective way to maintain the balance of power between the Executive and the Legislative Branches. We can only wish the previous Congresses had held this Administration accountable in the manner we are doing now. Please be assured that I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to continue vigorous constructive oversight.

Thank you again for contacting me. I hope you will continue to do so on matters important to you.

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